Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella)

Pink bollworm is thought to be native to India. It was first reported in Texas in 1917 having migrated from Mexico. Today, it can also be found in California, Arizona and Nevada. However, the western states seem to have the most serious problems with pink bollworm. While it prefers cotton, it will also feed on okra, hibiscus and kenaf.

Pink bollworm larvae are white with a brown head when they hatch. As they mature they develop the characteristic pink bands on the abdominal segments seen in the image on the left. Larvae bore into squares or bolls soon after hatching where they remain for 10 to 14 days feeding on the developing seeds. Pupation occurs in the bolls or on the ground. Adults emerge in about 8 to 10 days and females begin laying eggs within three days of emergence. Adults are small gray-brown moths with fringed wings. Females lay their eggs in masses at the base of developing bolls under the calyx. A complete life cycle can take between 25 and 30 days during warm months. Multiple generations, up to six, may occur in one year.

Pink bollworm is considered to be one of the most destructive cotton pests in the world. Control of pink bollworm in western states has relied on a series of cultural and biological control problems to maintain the population below damaging levels. These controls include mandatory removal of host plant material, sterile moth release, mating disruption, rotation to non-host crop, winter irrigation and early planting. WideStrike^™ Insect Protection, like other Bacillus thuringiensis cottons, has also been shown to be highly effective against this pest.